CVC Dec 15 v12_comberton temp.qxp 03/12/2015 14:38 Page 10
Comberton pipped to win The Kids’ Literature Quiz held annually at Comberton Village College took place last month.
with other regional teams for a place in the World Final in Auckland in August 2016. Do you think you could have done well? Have a go at some of the questions from the quiz! (Answers at foot of page) The quiz originated in New Zealand 1.What other name is Tony Stark where it was founded by quizknown by? master Wayne Mills in 1991 and 2.In the book Matilda, by Roald Dahl, now has national competitions held what is Matilda’s brother’s name? in: New Zealand, United Kingdom, 3.Which Christian saint is associated South Africa, Canada, USA, with December 25th? Australia, Singapore and Hong 4.What is the second book in the Lord Kong. of the Rings trilogy called? Librarians Mrs Hack and Mrs Peck 5.What kind of creature is Firenze in organised the whole event in the RUNNERS-UP: The CVC Watsons with quizmaster Wayne Mills (right) the Harry Potter books? Performance Hall and it was and two of the visiting authors. 6.Which Enid Blyton series of books spectacular fun as 22 teams from Ransome, from Year 8, and Abbie Masson and Kate featured a dog named ‘Scamper’? various schools around our region, comprising of Walsh, from Year 7, and CVC Watsons, comprising 7.Matt Groening is the creator of which famous cartoon students aged between 10 and 13 years old, took part. Erin Ferguson, in Year 8, and Shannon Lewis, Aarohi family? Five authors: Julian Sedgewick, Chris Priestley, Pippa 8.In a fairy tale, what did a materialistic father claim Vira and PJ Webb, in Year 7. Goodheart, Adele Geras and Inbali Iserles also made that his daughter could do that resulted in her needing All the students rose to the challenge posed by some up a team and pitched their book knowledge against help from a little fellow with a very odd name? very tough questions with outstanding performances, the students! They also signed books and chatted with 9.What did Ariadne give to Theseus to help him particularly from the Kimbolton School team, the the students (and teachers), who were excited to meet navigate the maze? ‘Kimquestors’, who took first place. In a very close them. 10.Whose autobiography is called The Long Walk to second place, was the CVC Watsons. Oundle School The teams answered 100 demanding and challenging Freedom? team, ‘Oundle 2’, took third place. questions on a whole range of different subjects, from Remember, if you’re in Year 7 this year you could still naming Poseidon’s brothers to identifying a very The CVC Sherlocks came seventh, with only four compete next year in our team. You will be able to find smartly dressed 1930s French elephant! points fewer than the winners; it really was very close. out more at the beginning of next year from your We had two teams participate this Year: CVC The Kimquestors will now go on to the National English teacher. Jaya Hillman Sherlocks, comprising Emma Hayward and Olivia Champions heat in Oxford where they will compete
Top tips for budding authors
At the end of last half term, a local children’s author called Helen Moss came to our school. She writes mystery stories and, conveniently, the Year 7’s first topic in English was writing murder mystery stories. Helen Moss’ visit was really good fun. Furthermore, it taught us lots of skills first hand from an author on how to write a mystery story. First, she read us a small piece from one of her books so we could see the effect of the mystery techniques in action. Then she went through the techniques she used to make her books so amazing. She even told us her ‘secret ingredient’; think of a burger, and then think of each technique as a different
ingredient in the burger! I found really this really interesting and helpful in my own writing I particularly enjoyed how we got to hear how the skills we had been learning in class really make mystery stories brilliant to read. I really believe that anybody can write a really successful book, which is enjoyed by lots of children. Isabel Juckes (7R)
SIGN LINE: Helen Moss autographs books for students and (right) answers questions.
Student’s words are a real winner
A poetic summing up of the school library by one of Comberton’s students has boosted the stock of books for the blind and visually impaired. Year 10’s Gabby Borinuoluwa, who was in Year 9 at the time, produced one of a number of superb Comberton entries for the Royal National Institute for the Blind’s Library Carnegie competition which asked pupils to write in one sentence how they felt about the school library. Gabby’s entry: “It is a place where underdogs win, victory is snatched from defeat and, above all, chances taken turn into a dream come true” was the judge’s favourite and was described as ‘pure poetry’.
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The prize was the complete set of those books shortlisted for the 2015 Carnegie medal in braille and giant print, but the college was lucky enough to receive extra goodies in the form of the 2014 set as well. Library assistant Julie Peck said: “We were absolutely delighted when we were notified that Gabby’s entry had won. “This is significant for the school as we now have several blind and visually impaired students. It is also important because the cost of these types of books is prohibitive. “More importantly however, is that the RNIB are now aware of our needs and are currently sending other stock to us.”
Answers
1.Iron Man 2.Michael 3.St Nicholas 4.The Two Towers 5.A Centaur 6.The Secret Seven 7.The Simpsons 8.That she could spin straw into gold (the little fellow was Rumpelstiltskin) 9.Thread 10.Nelson Mandela
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